Cruet



( No Model.)

P. ZEHETNER.

GRUET.

No. 539,468. Patented May 21, 1895.

J6 J7 1 p a I I 1 1a PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ ZEHETNER, or SOUTH KAUKAUNA, WISCONSIN.

CRUET'.

SPECIFICATI ON forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 539,468, dated May 21, 1895. Application filed July 19, 1894- Serial No. 517,999. (ll o model.)

To an whom it. may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ ZEHETNER, of South Kaukauna, in the county of Outa gamie and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in .Oruets,of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in cruets, or receptacles for holding condiments or flavors such as pepper, and the like,

of the particular class wherein a grinding disk carried by a revoluble spindle is adapted to act upon a grinding surfacewithin the receptacle.

The invention consists of the devices and parts, or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the complete device. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken through the grinding mechanism.

Like numerals of reference denote like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 4 indicates a bottomless receptacle or jar, which is of the same general exterior contour as an ordinary condiment cruet. It is provided near its neck with an opening 5 in which opening is secured a threaded collar 6, composed of some material which is readily made adhesive to glass. To this collar is connected a threaded bushing 7, which receives a stopper or cap 8. The opening 5, when the stopper or cap is removed, permits the bottle to be filled with pepper.

About medially the interior of thereceptacle is provided with an inwardly and downwardly inclined annular portion 9. -Beneath and against the shoulder formed by this inclined portion I arrange an annulus or ring 10,composed of plaster-of-paris, or some other material capable of being readily secured to glass or pottery. To this ring in turn is secured a metallic ring 11, provided with a serrated grinding surface.

To the interior of the neck of the bottle is secured a ring 12, composed of plaster-ofparis, or other material, and to this ring in turn is secured a metallic bushing 13, having an upper annnular flange overlapping the top of the neck. Through this bushing passes a spindle 14, the lower end of which being formed or provided with a grinding disk 15 which is adapted to act in conjunction with the grinding surface 11. Atv a point above the upper edge of the neck of the bottle the spindle is provided with a square portion 16, which is adapted to receive a square central aperture 17 of a turning cap or cover 18, said cap being, preferably, concave -convex in cross section, and provided with an under central boss 19 which rests on the overlapping flange of the bushing 13, and thereby completely closes the opening of the neck of the receptacle. A nut 20 engages the threads of the spindle at the extreme upper end thereof, and bears tightly down on the cap or cover.

In using my improved device, the stopper 8 is first removed, and the pepper berries or fruit introduced through the opening 5. After a sufficient quantity has been received in the bottle, the stopper is readjusted to place. The spindle 14 is next turned, which is accomplished by rotating the cap or cover, the edge of said cap or cover being preferably milled for the purpose of facilitating its rotation. obvious that the grinding disk'thereof acting in conjunction with the grinding surface 11 will cause the pepper berries to be ground to r a fine powder, and to escape through the open lower end of the receptacle. The inclined surface 9 facilitates passage of the berries to the grinding surfaces.

From the above description, it is thought that the advantages of my invention will be apparent. As the pepper is placed in thereceptacle in its unground state, and is only ground to a powder when occasion for its use arises, the full strength and flavor of the pepper is insured. Furthermore, it will be seen that the spindle and its grinding disk are supported entirely by the cap or cover 18, and that said cap or cover in turn, is supported by its boss 19, resting upon the overlapping flange of the bushing 13. As this boss is the only contacting portion of the cap or cover, it follows that not only is frictional retardation in the rotation of the cap or cover reduced to the minimum but also the spindle is firmly held in its depending position. When it is desired toremove the spindle, all

IOG

that is required is to remove the nut 20, then the cap 18, which ofcourse permitsthespindle to drop through the open bottom of the receptacle.

WVhile I have particularly described my invention as a condiment cruet adapted for. grinding pepper berries, and sprinkling the powder so produced, yet I do not Wish to be thereby understood as limiting myself to that particularuse, as I desire protection for my construction for any use to which it may be adaptable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The combination, of .a receptacle having an open lower end and provided .withan inte rior grinding surface, a bushing within the; neck of the bottle, said bushing provided at its g upper end with a flange overlapping the upper. edge of the neck of the bottle, a spindle prothe spindle to dropthrough the lower open end of the receptacle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I-aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANZ ZEHETNER. Witnesses:

Vt. E. RoHDE, L. LINDAUER. 

